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OKLAHOMA RESPONSE PLAN FOR WHITE‐NOSE SYNDROME (WNS)
January, 2012
White-nose Syndrome, Bats, State Parks, and WMAs
What is White-nose Syndrome (WNS)?
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a devastating, emergent disease afflicting hibernating
bats that has spread from the northeast to the central United States at an alarming rate.
Since 2006, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists and partners estimate that at least
5.7 to 6.7 million bats across multiple states have now died from WNS. The disease is
named for the white fungus (Geomyces destructans) seen on the muzzles, ears, and
wings of affected bats. This disease poses a serious threat to bats that hibernate in
caves.
Is WNS dangerous to humans?
Because it is a newly emerging disease, the human health risk from WNS is unknown
but no human health concerns have been reported
Does WNS occur in Oklahoma?
The presence of the fungus on one bat was “suspect positive” in northwest Oklahoma in
May 2010. Disease surveillance conducted in the same area of northwest Oklahoma
during the winter of 2010-2011 yielded negative results from specimens collected
(NWHC, 23571 Diagnostic Final Report, 06/29/2011). A tri-colored bat collected in Adair
County June, 2011 tested negative for WNS (NWHC, 23570 Diagnostic Final Report,
07/28/2011).
So, what does this mean for bats in Oklahoma?
Twenty-three (23) species and subspecies of native bats occur in Oklahoma, 16 of
which are considered hibernating bats. Three of these hibernating bat species are
federally listed as endangered: the Indiana bat, the Gray bat and the Ozark big-eared
bat. The confirmation of the fungus in Oklahoma represents the most western report at
the time and is unique in that it was found on a bat species, the cave myotis, which
does not occur in the eastern United States. Because bats are long-lived, (~5 – 15
years) but slow-reproducing (usually only 1 pup per year), bat numbers do not fluctuate
widely over time and therefore bat populations affected by WNS will not recover quickly.
Why should we care about bats in Oklahoma?
All of these bats play highly beneficial ecological and economic roles. Bats consume
mosquitoes, moths and other night-flying insects including insects that cause extensive
agricultural and forest damage. In Oklahoma, the avoided-cost value of bats (reduced
cost of pesticide application) is estimated to range from $6 million to $24 million per
year. (Boyles, J.G., P.M. Cryan, G.F. McCracken, and T.H. Kunz. 2011. Economic
Importance of Bats in Agriculture. Science 332 (6025): 41-42). They also play a vital
role in cave ecosystems, providing nutrients for other cave life through their droppings
and are food for other animals such as snakes and owls.

OKLAHOMA RESPONSE PLAN FOR WHITE‐NOSE SYNDROME (WNS)
January, 2012
White-nose Syndrome, Bats, State Parks, and WMAs
What is White-nose Syndrome (WNS)?
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a devastating, emergent disease afflicting hibernating
bats that has spread from the northeast to the central United States at an alarming rate.
Since 2006, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists and partners estimate that at least
5.7 to 6.7 million bats across multiple states have now died from WNS. The disease is
named for the white fungus (Geomyces destructans) seen on the muzzles, ears, and
wings of affected bats. This disease poses a serious threat to bats that hibernate in
caves.
Is WNS dangerous to humans?
Because it is a newly emerging disease, the human health risk from WNS is unknown
but no human health concerns have been reported
Does WNS occur in Oklahoma?
The presence of the fungus on one bat was “suspect positive” in northwest Oklahoma in
May 2010. Disease surveillance conducted in the same area of northwest Oklahoma
during the winter of 2010-2011 yielded negative results from specimens collected
(NWHC, 23571 Diagnostic Final Report, 06/29/2011). A tri-colored bat collected in Adair
County June, 2011 tested negative for WNS (NWHC, 23570 Diagnostic Final Report,
07/28/2011).
So, what does this mean for bats in Oklahoma?
Twenty-three (23) species and subspecies of native bats occur in Oklahoma, 16 of
which are considered hibernating bats. Three of these hibernating bat species are
federally listed as endangered: the Indiana bat, the Gray bat and the Ozark big-eared
bat. The confirmation of the fungus in Oklahoma represents the most western report at
the time and is unique in that it was found on a bat species, the cave myotis, which
does not occur in the eastern United States. Because bats are long-lived, (~5 – 15
years) but slow-reproducing (usually only 1 pup per year), bat numbers do not fluctuate
widely over time and therefore bat populations affected by WNS will not recover quickly.
Why should we care about bats in Oklahoma?
All of these bats play highly beneficial ecological and economic roles. Bats consume
mosquitoes, moths and other night-flying insects including insects that cause extensive
agricultural and forest damage. In Oklahoma, the avoided-cost value of bats (reduced
cost of pesticide application) is estimated to range from $6 million to $24 million per
year. (Boyles, J.G., P.M. Cryan, G.F. McCracken, and T.H. Kunz. 2011. Economic
Importance of Bats in Agriculture. Science 332 (6025): 41-42). They also play a vital
role in cave ecosystems, providing nutrients for other cave life through their droppings
and are food for other animals such as snakes and owls.